They built is out of stone--dark grey stone, pried loose from the unforgiving mountains. It was a house for those who could not take care of themselves, for those who heard voices, who had strange thoughts and did strange things. The house was meant to keep them in. Once they came, they never left. -- Narrator
(Prologue paragraph 1)

Importance: This quote is the entire prologue of the novel. This quote describes Brookline and the patients who once resided there.

This summer school--Dan's lifeline--had been the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel all school year long. -- Dan
(Chapter 1 paragraph 8)

Importance: This quote illustrates Dan's feeling about his school back home as well as the promise of a better future at the NHCP.